Lockhart to benefit from VRD FR and F4 programs
With four drivers already established in the VRD Academy program, Velocity Racing Development (VRD) is pleased to announce Jimmie Lockhart as their fifth and final driver for the 2020 season. Set to take advantage of the multi-platform race team, Lockhart will begin his training in a VRD prepared Ligier JS F4 before making the karts to cars transition to the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda in the future.
"Jimmie fits the bill of a racer, and we welcome him to the VRD Academy," expressed Dan Mitchell. "He is an accomplished karter and has his racing goals in place. With the proper training and guidance, I have no doubt that he will have not only a successful transition, but a winning one as well."
"My initial goal as a VRD Academy driver is to begin the transition from karts to open wheel cars and learn everything about how these cars preform," explained Jimmie Lockhart. "I am very excited to be a part of the VRD team and am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to start this journey. I look forward to working with the other Academy drivers as we push ourselves and each other to be our best. It is my ultimate dream that my time with VRD will lead to many more years of full-time racing and a career as a professional driver."
Only thirteen years of age and holding citizenship papers from both the United Kingdom and the United States, Lockhart began his career in karting in 2016. Competing mainly in the Florida karting arena, one of the toughest areas of competition throughout the US, Lockhart was the 2017 Spring South Florida Mini ROK Champion and followed that up in 2018 with the AMR Homestead-Miami TAG Mini Championship. In 2019, his rookie series in Junior, Jimmie claimed nine wins and fifteen podiums in both local and regional championship races. Additionally, the future open-wheel standout scored a double championship taking top honors in both X30 Junior and KA100 Junior at the AMR Homestead-Miami series.
"I couldn't be happier for Jimmie to have this opportunity to be a part of the VRD Academy," added Billy Lockhart, father and biggest fan of his son Jimmie. "We have known and gone racing with Dan Mitchell over the years in karting and have the utmost respect for and confidence in him. I can't think of a more perfect fit for Jimmie and us as a family. I welcome the chance to hand our driver over to Dan's very capable hands."
As motorsports remains at a standstill around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jimmie Lockhart is preparing for his mission at the VRD Academy. With testing dates on the horizon, look for this young 13-year-old to be putting in the work to be one of North America's next brightest racing drivers.
To follow Jimmie Lockhart on his journey, please follow him via his social media channels:
Instagram: @lockhart.jimmie
Facebook: @jimmielockhartracing
For more information on Velocity Racing Development and to find information on how to be involved
with their F4 US Championship Powered by Honda or FR Americas Championship Powered by Honda
programs, please feel free to contact Daniel Mitchell via email to Dan@VelocityRacingDevelopment.com or by phone to 954.594.2686.
